After multiple adventures, cancellations in shambles source of many frustrations, the troublemaker commonly called Covid-19 will not have completely fulfilled his role of gravedigger. The Champions Cup, which some believe is already flawed, concluded its group matches on time.
Sunday January 23, Montpellier and Stade Français, opposed to Exeter and Bristol, went to seek their qualification for the final stages at the very end of the match. As a result, seven of the eight French clubs involved in the competition advanced to the round of 16, with the exception of Castres. This season, you will have to be the best in a double confrontation (back and forth) to grab a place in the quarterfinals.
A Top 14 match awaits the players of Gonzalo Quesada. They will find the leader of Pool A, Racing 92, in a match that promises to be electric. If they finished first at the opposite end of the Parisians (8th), the Ile-de-France residents won two matches on green carpet. The two teams have faced each other once this season, at the opening of the Championship. Stade Français lost 36-21 at home.
Another match – almost between neighbors – will be held between two Top 14 teams. Stade Rochelais will face Union Bordeaux-Bègles. A meeting that smells of powder between the disappointed finalist of last season and the semi-finalist who also aspires to the highest European peaks. In November, the Maritimes had corrected the Bordelo-Béglais (26-3) at Marcel-Deflandre in the Championship. An element that Aquitaine coach Christophe Urios will not fail to use to stir up the spirit of revenge among his troops.
A brief word on the Irish provinces, authors of a full box (4 clubs in contention, 4 qualified clubs), which will undoubtedly lose one of their representatives at the end of the round of 16, since Leinster will find the Connacht.
The defending Toulouse champion has lived the opposite fate to Racing. The two cancellations (resulting in a draw against Wasps and a loss to Cardiff) stuck Antoine Dupont’s teammates in 7th place in their group where they narrowly escaped elimination. But their pursuers failed to take advantage of it. The Rouge et Noir will face the Irish of Ulster, unbeaten against Northampton and Clermont in the group stage.
Montpellier, sparkling winner against Exeter on the last day, will have to overcome the English obstacle of Harlequins. One hell of a piece. Dolphins of their hen behind Leicester, the English were full of confidence and victories during their double confrontation against Castres and Cardiff. Clermont, narrowly defeated on the last day, will have the heavy challenge of overthrowing Leicester, aspiring to the final crown, if he wants to reach the quarters.
The posters for the round of 16:
The round of 16 first leg will be held on April 8, 9 and 10. The return matches will take place on the 15th, 16th and 17th.
French Stadium (Fra) – Racing 92 (Eng)
Toulouse Stadium (Eng) – Ulster (Ireland)
Bordeaux-Bègles (Eng) – La Rochelle (Eng)
Connacht (irl) – Leinster (irl)
Sale (Eng) – Bristol (Eng)
Exeter (Eng) – Munster (irl)
Montpellier (Eng) – Harlequins (Eng)
Clermont (Eng)-Leicester (Eng)